Object ID
is an international standard for describing cultural objects.
It is the result of years of research in collaboration with the
museum community, international police and customs agencies, the
art trade, insurance industry, and valuers of art and antiques.

The Object ID project was initiated by the J.
Paul Getty Trust in 1993 and the standard was launched in
1997. It is being promoted by major law enforcement agencies,
including the FBI, Scotland Yard and Interpol, UNESCO, museums,
cultural heritage organisations, art trade and art appraisal organisations,
and insurance companies.

Having established the descriptive standard, the Object ID project
now helps combat the illegal appropriation of art objects by facilitating
documentation of cultural property and by bringing together organisations
around the world that can encourage its implementation.

From 1999 to 2004, the Object ID project was housed at the Council
for the Prevention of Art Theft (CoPAT). In October 2004, the
International Council of Museums (ICOM) signed an agreement with
the J. Paul Getty Trust for ICOM's non-exclusive worldwide use
of the Getty's Object ID standard. ICOM, in close collaboration
with UNESCO and other organisations fighting illicit trade, will
actively disseminate information about Object ID and also organize
workshops on its implementation. New translation initiatives are
constantly being promoted and undertaken.